Temporary Safety Barrier System

ABSTRACT

The invention described herein is a temporary safety barrier system comprising a vertical post, where a base plate is pivotally attached to the bottom distal end of the vertical post via a hinge, where an at least one horizontal socket is located in the top half of the vertical post, where an angled brace first end is pivotally secured to the base plate and an angled brace second end is configured to removably connect to the vertical post; and where an at least one horizontal safety rail is removably secured within the at least one horizontal socket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for a TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIER SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the vertical post for a TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIER SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the horizontal socket for a TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIER SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the vertical post and base plate for a TEMPORARY SAFETY BARRIER SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention described herein is a temporary safety barrier system 100 comprising a vertical post 110, where a base plate 120 is pivotally attached to the bottom distal end of said vertical post via a hinge 170, where an at least one horizontal socket 130 is located in the top half of said vertical post 110, where an angled brace first end 140 is pivotally secured to said base plate 120 and an angled brace second end 150 is configured to removably connect to said vertical post 110; and where an at least one horizontal safety rail 160 is removably secured within said at least one horizontal socket 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical post 210 preferably comprises a c-channel cross-section. Preferably, the vertical post comprises a series of through holes 220 on either side of the vertical post 210 toward the bottom distal end, where the series of through holes 220 on each side are preferably designed to be in-line with the series of through holes 220 on the opposite side. The angled brace second end 230 is preferably comprised of a t-shaped assembly configured to fit the ends of the t-shaped assembly into the corresponding set of through holes 220 in the vertical post 210.

Preferably, the position of the angled brace second end 230 when removably secured to the series of through holes 220 in the vertical post 210 defines the angle at which the base plate sits in relation to the vertical post 210. When the angled brace second end 230 is removably secured to the vertical post series of through holes 220 in the lowest position closest to the bottom distal end of the vertical post 210, the angle of the base plate is more obtuse in relation to the vertical post. The position of the angled brace second end 230 when removably secured to a middle series of through holes 220 in the vertical post 210 sets the base plate at a ninety-degree right angle in relation to the vertical post 210. The position of the angled brace second end 230 when removably secured to the highest series of through holes 220 toward the middle of the vertical post 210 sets the base plate at a more acute angle in relation to the vertical post 210. The number of series of through holes 220 on each side of the vertical post 210 is preferably between 3 and 8 to allow for a number of angles the base plate may be set in relation to the vertical post.

Normally, the angle of the base plate relative to the vertical post 210 is ninety degrees for most situations; however, other angles may be obtained by adjusting the angled brace second end 230 relative to the vertical post 210 such that the vertical post is oriented vertically from the surface the temporary safety barrier system is placed upon. For example, if the base plate is secured to an angled roof, the angled brace second end may be adjusted to allow the temporary safety barrier system to remain in a vertical position. The pivotal attachment of the base plate to the vertical post also preferably allows the base plate to be folded against the vertical post when the temporary safety barrier system is not in use, or is being transported.

As shown in FIG. 3, the temporary safety barrier system vertical post 310 preferably comprises at least one horizontal socket 320 configured to accept a horizontal safety rail 330. The at least one horizontal socket 320 is preferably integrated into the vertical post 310 and comprises a preferably rectangular opening extending through the entire length of the horizontal socket 320. The horizontal safety rail 330 is preferably inserted into the at least one horizontal socket 320 and secured in place using a securing means. The securing means is preferably comprised of a spring-loaded quick disconnect fastener commonly used in the construction industry.

Preferably, the at least one horizontal socket 320 is fixed in place along the vertical post 310. Alternately preferably, the at least one horizontal socket 320 preferably further comprises an adjustment means 340 configured to adjust the at least one horizontal socket 320 up or down along the vertical post 310. The adjustment means 340 is preferably in the form of a fastener extending through the face of the horizontal socket 320 and into the vertical post 310. However, other adjustment means not described herein may be contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal safety rail 430 preferably fits into the at least one horizontal socket 420 on the vertical post 410 and preferably extends out to either side of the vertical post 410. Preferably, the horizontal safety rail would span the distance from one vertical post 110 to another as shown in FIG. 1. The horizontal safety rail 430 is preferably comprised of a material designed to be strong enough to stop a fully grown human being from falling. The horizontal safety rails are preferably comprised of various items commonly found in the construction industry, such as wood planks, metal bars, and pipes.

The base plate 440 preferably further comprises a first end and a second end. The base plate first end 450 is located directly against the vertical post 410 bottom distal end and preferably comprises a hinge assembly which is preferably configured to attach to the bottom distal end of the vertical post. The base plate hinge assembly preferably allows the base plate 440 to pivot up and down through a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees from horizontal in relation to the vertical post 410. The base plate second end 460 is preferably located opposite the base plate first end 450 and preferably comprises an attachment to pivotally fasten the angled brace. The attachment of the angled brace 470 is preferably a swiveling hinge to allow the angled brace 470 to move in any direction needed to attach to the vertical post 410, thereby setting the angle of the base plate 440 in relation to the vertical post 410. Additionally, the base plate 440 preferably comprises an attachment means to securely engage a surface for the temporary safety barrier to be securely attached to. The attachment means preferably comprises bolts or screws, but may encompass other means such as construction glues. Common surfaces for the base plate to be secured include a roof's edge and a second, or higher, floor in a multi-story building.

The angled brace 470 is preferably a length of tubular steel and further comprises a first end and a second end. The angled brace 470 first end is preferably pivotally attached to the base plate second end 460 in a manner where the angled brace 470 can swivel and pivot in relation to the base plate 440. The angled brace 470 second end preferably comprises a t-shaped pin assembly 480 preferably configured to removably securely fit into the evenly spaced holes located in the vertical post 410. The attachment of the angled brace second end onto the vertical post preferably defines the angle of the base plate in relation to the vertical post. The series of holes in the vertical post will preferably define angles of the base plate related to at least 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 degrees to horizontal in relation to the vertical post. However, other combinations can be achieved not enumerated herein.

In an alternate embodiment, the temporary safety barrier system preferably comprises a fence barrier 490. The fence barrier 490 is preferably removably attached to the vertical post 410 bottom distal end on the opposite side of the base plate 440. The fence barrier 490 is preferably configured to prevent tools and other typical construction hardware from falling off the surface the temporary safety barrier system is removably secured to. The fence barrier 490 is preferably configured to span the distance between two of the vertical posts, however, the fence barrier may also be preferably attached to only one vertical post and extend to either side of the vertical post. The fence barrier 490 is preferably comprised of a wood plank, but may also be comprised of typical construction netting attached to two vertical posts and spanning the distance between them. Alternately, the fence barrier may be comprised of any material that can be removably secured to the vertical post.

The temporary safety barrier system is preferably comprised of at least one temporary safety barrier, but would commonly comprise multiple temporary safety barriers spaced evenly along the edge of a roof or other surface where a person would be likely to get injured if they fell. To effectively use the temporary safety barrier system, a user would adjust the base plate angle such that the vertical post is upright, then secure multiple temporary safety barrier base plates to the surface of the roof or upper floor of the building workers are on, and then install the horizontal safety rails by inserting and securing into the horizontal sockets. The horizontal safety rails would preferably span the distance between each of the temporary safety barriers installed to provide maximum safety to the workers.

The temporary safety barrier system vertical post, at least one horizontal socket, and base plate is preferably constructed from stainless steel. Alternately, the temporary safety barrier system vertical post, at least one horizontal socket, and base plate may be constructed of other materials such as fiber-reinforced composite materials, aluminum and/or other plastics. 

We claim:
 1. A temporary safety barrier system comprising: a vertical post, wherein a base plate is pivotally attached to the bottom distal end of said vertical post via a hinge, wherein an at least one horizontal socket is located in the top half of said vertical post, wherein an angled brace first end is pivotally secured to said base plate and an angled brace second end is configured to removably connect to said vertical post; and wherein an at least one horizontal safety rail is removably secured within said at least one horizontal socket.
 2. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein said base plate pivots about said vertical post in a range from 0 degrees to 180 degrees from horizontal.
 3. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein said base plate can be set and secured at a specific angle within a range from 30 degrees to 150 degrees from horizontal.
 4. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein said at least one horizontal socket is integral to said vertical post.
 5. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein a fence barrier is removably attached to said vertical post bottom distal end by a fastening means.
 6. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 5 wherein said fence barrier is comprised of a wood plank.
 7. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 5 wherein said fence barrier is comprised of construction netting and stretched between at least two vertical posts.
 8. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment means allows said at least one horizontal socket to move vertically up and down said vertical post.
 9. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein a securing means is comprised of a quick-disconnect fastener configured to secure said horizontal safety rail within said horizontal socket.
 10. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein said vertical post, said at least one horizontal socket, and said base plate is constructed from stainless steel.
 11. The temporary safety barrier system of claim 1 wherein said horizontal safety rail is a wooden plank. 